Go outside and scream – what our kids teach us

Sometimes I think we should all go outside and scream. And take lessons from our kids while we’re at it.

When I drop the kids off at school in the morning, I watch where they go, who they play with and what they do. Parents, next time you’re doing the drop-off, you should take a look and see what’s going on. We can learn so much from our children.

So, I’m standing around waiting for the bell to ring and all around me are running, skipping, hopping, standing, LOUD kids. Doesn’t matter what age they are – all of them are making some sort of loud noise. The younger they are, the more screaming they do. Miller (she’s four) plays tag with her friends and they don’t so much ‘tag’ each other as they run around, wave their arms and scream-laugh. It’s like they’re so thrilled to be a participant in the game that they can’t help but laugh like mini-mad people. They’re all happy to be outside. They don’t care if it’s cold. If the sun is out or not. They are happy to be free to scream and run before school starts.

When’s the last time you just ran around and screamed? Maybe waved your arms around while you did it?

I took it upon myself to try it out. No, not right then in the school yard. I did it in the solitary confines of my backyard. I opened the sliding door, ran off the deck onto the grass, flailed my arms and screamed. The kids looked at me like I was nuts. And then they joined me. Soon we were all running around the yard, laugh-screaming and chasing each other. (I may or may not have peed a little. Not telling. I’ve got a serious mom bladder.)

You know what? I felt GREAT. I felt free. I felt young. I felt silly. I felt connected to the kids on a whole new level.

I was pointing out the University of Windsor one day as we drove past. I told Jett that I went to school there to learn, and that sometimes I teach there. He got that perfect pensive look on his face that he gets, and then asked me: “Are you still learning, mom?”

What a great question! I told him yes, always. He said: “Can even teachers still learn? And moms?” I had tears in my eyes. I told him that I’m always learning and that he teaches me all the time. Especially when he asks brilliant questions like that.

I tell ya. Couple running outside and screaming with a mind-boggling conversation with your six-year-old child – and what you will learn will knock your socks off. Way off.

Lively discourse is the lifeblood of any healthy democracy and The Star encourages readers to engage in robust debates about our stories. But, please, avoid personal attacks and keep your comments respectful and relevant. If you encounter abusive comments, click the "X" in the upper right corner of the comment box to report spam or abuse. The Star is Using Facebook Comments. Visit our FAQ page for more information.

Yet another hang noose - a third - was found inside the Windsor Assembly plant on Monday night, said a union boss who represents a majority of the workers involved with a $2-billion revamp of the minivan plant.